Reply to: Recommend a new TV

[Moscow Mule]

WFT is HD CRT? I thought nobody was making CRT's anymore, let alone HD ones.

not for the home user

http://www.planetdv.net/Content/By_M...sp?ID=5271&f=f

[Moscow Mule]

But assuming you're just taking a feed from the aerial, not a satellite or cable, it's not HD is it?

No, it's not - your HDTV will upscale the digital broadcast to the size of the panel.

Which is why, when selecting a TV, you should look at it showing what you are likely to watch. For most people this will be freeview. If it looks tulipe, don't buy it.

What's the opinion on the quality of HD CRT? Or even just standard definition CRT and a set-top box for digital.

Ebay is your only option for one of those. You can't get CRTs in the High Street any more.

[Bagpuss]

Have a look in What TV and HiFI if it's still going. Has ads for online retailers, at least 20% cheaper than Comet et al. Also comet have some branded TVs specially made for them with lower specs than the normal model, so best avoided

[Cheshire Cat]

Yikes, no way will I be buying Sky.

What's the opinion on the quality of HD CRT? Or even just standard definition CRT and a set-top box for digital.

WFT is HD CRT? I thought nobody was making CRT's anymore, let alone HD ones.

[basshead]

But assuming you're just taking a feed from the aerial, not a satellite or cable, it's not HD is it?
Might be upscaled (still not entirely sure of the benefits of that) but it's still effectively a nonHD (LD?) signal, right?

Freeview HD starts rolling out next year. It'll probably suck, but still.

[TimberWolf]

Yikes, no way will I be buying Sky.

What's the opinion on the quality of HD CRT? Or even just standard definition CRT and a set-top box for digital.

[Cheshire Cat]

Not really - I think I'd prefer to watch the internal tuner over something upscaled by the Sky box. But I haven't got one so I haven't tried it..

But assuming you're just taking a feed from the aerial, not a satellite or cable, it's not HD is it?
Might be upscaled (still not entirely sure of the benefits of that) but it's still effectively a nonHD (LD?) signal, right?

[Moscow Mule]

What's the problem with the picture when watching non HD feeds on a 1080p picture? Does it look grainy? Odd colour? Poor contrast? shadowing?

You're essentially turning 480 lines into 1080 - it's bound to look a bit crap unless there's some heavy processing in there...

[Moscow Mule]

I would've thought many people buying a full HD telly would also have an HD tv feed (sky or virgin) so rendering the freeview component redundant

Not really - I think I'd prefer to watch the internal tuner over something upscaled by the Sky box. But I haven't got one so I haven't tried it..

[Cheshire Cat]

I would've thought many people buying a full HD telly would also have an HD tv feed (sky or virgin) so rendering the freeview component redundant

[TimberWolf]

What's the prevailing opinion on whether to have stuff like Freeview/Freesat built-in versus set-top boxes?

[Cheshire Cat]

Panasonic - I got a 42PX80B - 42" for £649
You should be able to get the 37" for similar or maybe a little less money.

It's HD ready - not full HD - but then as I mostly watch non-HD sources I get a better picture - if you go full HD and mainly watch non-HD sources then you may regret it.

What's the problem with the picture when watching non HD feeds on a 1080p picture? Does it look grainy? Odd colour? Poor contrast? shadowing?

[FarmerPalmer]

Panasonic - I got a 42PX80B - 42" for £649
You should be able to get the 37" for similar or maybe a little less money.

It's HD ready - not full HD - but then as I mostly watch non-HD sources I get a better picture - if you go full HD and mainly watch non-HD sources then you may regret it.

[bogeyman]

Not so good for MOTD though?

Go to your local team's ground - much more fun, and more dangerous than MOTD.

[Moscow Mule]

Buy a nice painting and look at that instead.

Probably cheaper (unless you buy an old master) and greener too.

No license fee and it will still work when your 'leccy is cut off due to unpaid credit card bills.

A win-win there I'd say.

Not so good for MOTD though?